Supervisors approve $9 billion spending plan in 4-1 votes after restoring select public safety programs while addressing a projected $101 million budget shortfall.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors have approved a recommended $9 billion budget, restoring some $10 million in public safety funding after weeks of debate over proposed reductions tied to a projected $101 million budget shortfall and a great deal of cuts as well.
The spending plan for fiscal year 2026-27 was approved on a 4-1 vote following extensive discussion over cuts that county officials said were necessary to address ongoing fiscal challenges. Board Chair Rosario Rodriguez, whose district includes Folsom, Citrus Heights and several eastern Sacramento County communities, cast the lone dissenting vote.
The approved budget reflects approximately $57 million in General Fund reductions affecting multiple departments and will result in the elimination of roughly 194.5 positions countywide. County officials noted that some of those positions are currently vacant, helping reduce the need for layoffs.
County Executive David Villanueva said the budget process required difficult decisions throughout county government.
“Putting together this year’s budget required difficult decisions, and I appreciate the thoughtful and strategic approach our department heads took in identifying reductions,” Villanueva said in a statement. “I am also grateful to the Board of Supervisors for their thoughtful discussions, careful consideration and leadership in making the tough choices necessary to adopt a balanced budget.”
The county’s spending plan includes approximately $4 billion in General Fund expenditures, $3.2 billion in Enterprise and Special Revenue Funds and $1.7 billion in Restricted Funds. Sacramento County currently employs 12,897 workers.
County financial officials attributed the budget deficit to a combination of long-term structural funding challenges, declining one-time revenue sources and rising costs. Officials said federal policy changes are expected to shift approximately $50 million in additional costs to the county, while federally mandated improvements to inmate medical and mental health care continue to place significant pressure on county finances.
The recommended budget is approximately 2.8 percent lower than the previous fiscal year’s spending plan.
Public safety funding emerged as one of the most debated issues during budget hearings.
Sheriff Jim Cooper, District Attorney Thien Ho and representatives from the Public Defender’s Office urged supervisors to reconsider proposed reductions, warning that cuts would affect specialized programs and place additional strain on already stretched public safety resources.
The Sheriff’s Office was initially facing approximately $13.7 million in reductions, including the elimination of several specialized units. Sheriff’s officials argued that because large portions of the department’s budget are dedicated to jail operations, inmate care requirements and emergency response services, most of the reductions would fall on specialty enforcement and outreach programs.
Among the units originally targeted for elimination were the Homeless Outreach Team, Marine Patrol Unit, gang suppression units, Identity Theft Unit and the Problem Oriented Policing Team, commonly known as the POP Team.
Sheriff’s officials also highlighted the department’s workload, noting deputies responded to more than 270,000 emergency calls for service last year while providing law enforcement coverage across Sacramento County’s extensive unincorporated areas.
Following public testimony and board discussion, supervisors restored approximately $9.9 million in funding.
The Sheriff’s Office received roughly $7.9 million in restored funding, preserving the Homeless Outreach Team, Marine Patrol Unit, Department of Boating and Waterways operations, North and South Gang Units and the Identity Theft Unit.
The restoration of Marine Patrol funding carries significance for eastern Sacramento County residents and visitors who use regional waterways, including portions of the American River corridor and recreational areas connected to the Folsom Lake region.
The District Attorney’s Office received $1.37 million to restore community prosecution positions, while the Public Defender’s Office received $649,076 to continue its misdemeanor mental health diversion program.
Despite the restorations, not every program was saved. The Sheriff’s POP Team remains slated for elimination under the approved budget framework.
The debate also highlighted differing perspectives from residents and advocacy groups. While public safety advocates urged supervisors to preserve law enforcement and criminal justice programs, others argued county resources should be directed toward housing, behavioral health and prevention-focused services.
Ultimately, supervisors chose to restore several programs they considered critical to public safety while still moving forward with broader spending reductions intended to balance the budget.
The county’s new fiscal year begins July 1, with implementation of the approved budget expected later this summer. The spending plan will return for final consideration and adoption in September, providing residents another opportunity to comment before the budget is finalized.
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